CHAOS AGAIN: Angel Reese Caught in Another WNBA Brawl—This Time as the Peacemaker Amid Sparks-Sky Clash

Angel Reese has once again found herself at the center of a heated WNBA confrontation—only this time, she was playing peacemaker.

Just one week after her longtime rival Caitlin Clark was shoved to the floor during a contentious matchup, Reese found herself breaking up an on-court scuffle between her Chicago Sky teammate Rebecca Allen and Los Angeles Sparks rookie Rickea Jackson.

Another Night, Another Fight

Tuesday night’s game between the Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks was supposed to be just another regular-season contest. Instead, it became yet another flashpoint in what has been a season full of tension, tempers, and viral moments for the WNBA.

In the third quarter of Chicago’s eventual 97–86 win, Allen and Jackson tangled under the basket while fighting for a rebound. The play started with standard physicality, but quickly escalated. Both players exchanged heated words and came face-to-face in a classic stare-down.

Before things could spiral further, teammates from both sides rushed in. And at the front of the pack? Angel Reese.

In a surprising turn of character for the often fiery forward, Reese grabbed Allen and physically pulled her away from Jackson, even as Allen continued jawing at her Sparks opponent.

Reese Steps In

Cameras captured Reese’s determined expression as she stepped between the two players, using her strength to drag Allen toward the Sky bench.

But the confrontation didn’t end there.

After Allen was safely away, Reese turned her attention to Jackson. The two exchanged words briefly before Reese walked off, leaving behind what could have turned into another full-scale WNBA brawl.

For Reese—whose rookie season has been filled with viral dust-ups and intense on-court moments—this was perhaps the first time she’s been seen actively trying to diffuse rather than escalate tensions.

Context: The Clark Connection

The timing of this incident comes amid ongoing league-wide conversations about physicality, sportsmanship, and player safety—many of which have centered around Caitlin Clark.

Just last week, Clark was brutally hip-checked to the floor by Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey following a poke to the eye by Jacy Sheldon. The play became an instant viral controversy, with fans and analysts criticizing the league’s officials for failing to eject Mabrey on the spot.

The league later upgraded Mabrey’s technical to a Flagrant 2 foul—a move seen by many as an acknowledgment that referees mishandled the situation during live play.

The incident with Clark followed another contentious moment from the WNBA season opener back in May, when Clark and Reese reignited their personal rivalry in dramatic fashion.

During that game, with just under five minutes left in the third quarter, Clark delivered a hard foul on Reese while she was going up for an offensive rebound—sending the Sky star sprawling to the floor.

Reese, visibly enraged, immediately sprang to her feet and confronted Clark face-to-face before teammates and officials intervened. That exchange ended with double technical fouls for Reese and Fever center Aliyah Boston, along with a Flagrant 1 foul assessed to Clark.

In her postgame comments, Clark insisted the foul wasn’t malicious, calling it simply “a basketball play.” Few fans agreed.

The New Angel?

Given her reputation as a relentless competitor who wears her emotions on her sleeve, Reese’s role as peacemaker on Tuesday raised eyebrows across social media.

Many fans applauded her for showing maturity and leadership at a time when the Sky desperately needed composure. Others joked that Reese may be turning over a new leaf—though her post-game demeanor suggested she’s still as fiery as ever.

“I’m here to win,” Reese told reporters in the locker room afterward. “And sometimes that means stepping in and making sure my teammates don’t lose their heads.”

A Tough Stretch for Reese

Despite her leadership in breaking up the fight, Reese’s recent on-court performance has drawn criticism. Saturday’s game against Phoenix marked a career-low in rebounds for the rookie star. Her struggles on the glass, coupled with ongoing questions about her offensive consistency, have become a growing topic among analysts.

Still, Tuesday’s effort—both as a player and a team leader—may help silence some doubters.

“She showed a lot of control tonight,” one WNBA scout commented after the game. “We know Angel’s passion. The fact that she pulled her teammate away instead of jumping into the chaos speaks volumes.”

What’s Next?

With tensions still simmering across the league and Chicago fighting for a playoff spot, Reese’s ability to channel her intensity productively could prove critical down the stretch.

Meanwhile, WNBA fans will no doubt continue watching both Reese and Clark closely as their storylines remain intertwined—whether they’re facing each other on the court or getting caught up in unrelated league-wide drama.

For now, though, Angel Reese can claim one small victory: this time, she wasn’t the one fueling the fire—she was the one putting it out.